Mini apple trees

I have got a 'golden gate' apple tree in situ in a container (it's a mini one)...and last year it had the most beautiful blossom. But no fruit. I have since discovered that fruit trees rarely fruit for the first three years...but does anyone know why this is?

 

It would be building up a root system early on and then the branches to bear fruit would need to mature and produce fruiting spurs

Also although they are self fertile to an extent, they will always produce more fruit if another apple tree in a similar flowering group is nearby to assist cross polination

It could be it wasn't really old enough last year to sustain fruit or the flowers were not pollinated

 

If you look at the lists here
http://www.shrubs.co.uk/pollination.htm

I don't know of 'golden gate' but assuming its of the golden delicious' type..then another variety from group 3 nearby would be ideal...if not then one from group 2 or 4 would overlap group 3s flowering period for a while and help with pollination (If a neighbour has apple tree's so much the better)

 

FOUND IT!

Its in the Bakker catalogue
http://www.bakker.co.uk/Catalog/Productdetail.aspx?parentcategoryname=16&selectedcategoryname=26&productid=2950

and described as self fertile

Bakker do seem to have fantastic pictures sometimes

 

Cheers Steve, I did get mine from Bakers and have just ordered another one as I thought they needed another to pollinate...

 

Hi dabbit, A little feed may help. I'm looking forward to my apples won't be long now.

 

Hi Hans I have been feeding them, and wondered whether I should or not...At least I know now

 

I'm a bit out of touch, now but James Grieves is or was the best to have, if you have a few Apple trees, but check in your near nighbourhood....if anyonne has already one in their garden....then you can get another variety and got your neighbour's tree will pollinate all your trees too... regards feeding, you need to feed your fruit trees long before they even set fruit and keep feeding all Summer and water don't forget too, with this dry Summers we are getting now, or they won't swell...

Ladybird